Evans Appointed as UWs Chief Legal Counsel

Tara Evans, who has been serving as the University of Wyoming’s interim general counsel since August, has been named UW’s chief legal counsel effective Feb. 1.

The UW Board of Trustees voted in favor of the appointment during its regular meeting Friday, ending plans for a search for a new chief legal officer for the university.

“Tara has demonstrated her ability to lead the university’s legal office with expertise and sound judgment,” UW President Laurie Nichols says. “Tara assumed the interim position in early August with no forewarning. She made a seamless transition and has readily taken responsibility for several complex projects at my and trustees’ request.

“During the meeting last week, the trustees and I agreed there was no reason to proceed with a search, when we have a qualified, capable person already in the position,” the president says. “I am sensitive to the budget situation and felt this also was a potential budget savings for the university.”

Evans has been with the university since 2008, when she began working as a special assistant to President Tom Buchanan. The UW alumna, with a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and a law degree, also worked as an assistant attorney general for the state of Wyoming. She has been deputy legal counsel at UW since 2013.